None — The Path to Nursing
There are three education pathways to becoming a nurse in this country. The most common is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It involves a four-year degree from a university-based program with an emphasis on clinical practice during the last two years. The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year degree program (some students go for three years). Many students with an ADN degree eventually go back and earn a BSN. The Diploma in Nursing program is a specialized nursing education program typically affiliated with a hospital. Students go to school for three years, getting clinical instruction and hospital experience.
After graduation from an approved nursing program, a student must take a state licensing exam to become an RN. Many RNs also obtain advanced degrees in specialized areas, like Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse-Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are more than 3 million registered nurses in the U.S. Roughly 60 percent of them work in hospitals. Other areas of employment are physician offices, community public health, nursing care facilities, ambulatory care, home health care, schools and employment services. In 2008, the median salary for an RN was $62,450 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition).
Men in Nursing
Nursing is a field that's been traditionally dominated by women. However, men are now making up an increasing percentage of RNs. The Health Resources and Services Administration reports 9.6 percent of RNs licensed between 2000 and 2008 were men. Surveys show male nurses are more likely to work in hospitals than other places of nursing employment.
Christopher Coleman, Ph.D., R.N., Professor of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania (PENN) in Philadelphia, PA, says it's often tough for men to make the decision to enter nursing school because so many people don't see it as a "male" profession. However, attitudes are changing. Coleman has instituted the "MAN-UP" program. Leaders at PENN have taken extra steps to encourage and support male nursing students. One of the main changes has been the use of gender-neutral references in instruction programs. Teaching props also include male anatomical parts. There is a male association support group for students to share experiences and discuss issues. Coleman also stresses that students learn to define themselves, rather than have someone else define them.
The "MAN-UP" program's efforts to attract men into nursing careers are paying off. In the 2010-2011 academic year, 10.3 percent of BSN nursing students are male (compared to 6.6 percent in 2007-2008). The school has won the "Best School/College for Men in Nursing" award from the American Assembly for Men in Nursing for two years.
Coleman believes attracting men to the nursing profession will help address the nursing shortage across the country. In addition, male patients, who traditionally are less likely to go to a doctor than females, may be more willing to seek health care if they are able to speak with a male nurse.
For information about men as nurses:
[ American Assembly for Men in Nursing ]
For general information on nursing as a career:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing American Nurses Association